The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly criticized the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi, the immediate past Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, by the Senate, stating that the interests of the North are at risk.
The forum asserted that instead of resorting to suspension, the Senate should have conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations raised by Senator Ningi to ascertain their validity.
In a statement released by Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, the forum called on the Senate to exercise caution when handling criticisms of its operations.
The statement highlighted the crux of the matter, centered on the serious allegation made by Senator Ningi, widely referred to as “budget padding.” Senator Ningi, along with others, alleged that a significant portion of the 2024 federal budget, amounting to N3.7 trillion, lacked specific project allocations as required.
ACF refrained from engaging in a debate with the Senate but expressed concern over the hurried nature of the proceedings, which seemed to focus more on the messenger than the message. While acknowledging the Senate’s denial of the allegations, ACF emphasized that the interests of many communities in Northern Nigeria are at stake.
Rather than opting for a swift suspension of Senator Ningi, ACF advocated for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations by a statutory or ad hoc Senate committee.
The statement lends credence to the fact that the unresolved allegations, including those related to questionable constituency projects benefiting specific communities, have negative implications for the Senate and the executive branch, potentially tarnishing Nigeria’s democracy.
ACF urged the Senate to address these concerns promptly to restore public confidence in the legislative process and uphold the integrity of governance in the country.